Stolen ute speeds away after pursuit

Andrew Korner
Journalist
Andrew was born and bred in Ipswich and has been at the QT since 2007. After starting out on the country rounds, he moved onto court reporting and then police and emergency services, which he has now been covering for the last three years. When he is not working on police rounds Andrew is busy sifting through the garbage of famous people, in search of ideas for his weekly column, the Naughty Korner. As there are very few famous people in Ipswich, Andrew is often forced to write his column about...

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POLICE are pleading with Ipswich residents to secure their homes and keep their car keys out of view, following yet another chase involving a stolen vehicle.

Authorities are trying to track the driver of a stolen Holden ute, which led a senior police officer on a pursuit lasting more than 6km early Friday.

The vehicle was first spotted on Braeside Rd, Bundamba, about 1.20am, with the police officer following the vehicle to Mary St, Blackstone - never exceeding the speed limit.

The police officer activated his lights after noticing the vehicle go the wrong side of a roundabout, and the pursuit continued at speed limit-pace for another 6km, before the ute suddenly accellerated.

Police said the decision was then made to abort the pursuit.

Detective Senior Sergeant Gary Dixon said the ute had been stolen from a house at Redbank Plains on Thursday morning, with the same thieves allegedly returning to the house later in an attempt to gain entry a second time.

Following a spate of similar incidents over recent months, Snr Sgt Dixon said it was a timely reminder for people to ensure their property was secure.

He said improved security features on modern vehicles had actually contributed to an increase in cases where car thieves were entering homes and taking car keys.

"Thieves can't just break in and steal a car off the street like they used to," Snr Sgt Dixon said.

"We are asking the public to make sure they secure their house and don't leave keys hanging up on hooks or boards where they are easy to find.

"Also, don't leave your keys in the car while it is in the garage. Put you keys where they will be hard to find - otherwise you are at risk of losing your car and your belongings."

Anyone with information that could assist police should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.